Kristopher Huckman, 35, was headed north at around 6:45 a.m. when his Nissan Altima topped ahill and hit a horse that was in the driving lane, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the accident.

Huckman told investigators that he couldn't avoid the horse, partly because of the early morning darkness. The wreck occurred about 40 minutes before sunrise.

The horse apparently went up and over the car, shattering the front window and crushing the roof.

Huckman was taken to Great Plains Regional Medical Center in a private vehicle with what seemed to be injuries to his left hand, cuts on his face and head injuries, a sheriff’s spokesman said. During the examination, it was discovered that Huckman’s brain was bleeding. He was flown by helicopter to a Lincoln hospital for treatment.

No updates of his condition have been released.

The horse died in the collision. The owner was located and removed the animal from the scene.

This report was updated Thursday baseed on additional information from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.